Severe weather is likely to affect East and North Iceland on election day, potentially disrupting travel and voting. Authorities may postpone elections in impacted areas for up to a week if necessary.
Possible postponements
In an interview with the radio programme Bítið on the Bylgjan radio station this morning, meteorologist Einar Sveinbjörnsson stated that there was an overwhelming likelihood of severe weather in East and North Iceland on election day, with possible road closures.
Parliamentary elections will be held on Saturday, November 30, following the dissolution of the government coalition in October.
As noted by Vísir, the National Electoral Commission has been in regular contact with the Icelandic Met Office this week, with the former having the authority to postpone elections in certain areas for up to a week if severe weather occurs.
Severe weather in North and East Iceland
“The election day forecast is coming into clearer focus,” Einar stated. “Iceland will be caught between two competing air masses.”
Einar explained that most of the country will be under cold, northeasterly winds, with calm and dry weather in Southwest and West Iceland. The current forecast for the capital area predicts freezing temperatures and calm weather, although the wind will start picking up in the afternoon.
Sharp weather fronts between Iceland and the Faroe Islands are, however, forecast to bring heavy precipitation to East Iceland, likely falling entirely as snow.
“We anticipate significant snowfall in East Iceland,” Einar noted, adding that snowstorms are also expected in North Iceland and potentially in the northern Westfjords, though with less precipitation than in the east.
As an example, Einar highlighted the Fjarðarheiði mountain pass, which connects Seyðisfjörður and Egilsstaðir in East Iceland, where 40 millimetres of snow is forecast on Saturday. Snowfall is expected to begin overnight and persist throughout the day, tapering off by evening.
Yesterday, Einar estimated a 60% chance of this forecast coming true, but he now believes the likelihood has risen.
Einar noted that the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration will likely shift into high gear on election day, although clearing snow during a blizzard will remain challenging. Travel disruptions could affect both mountain passes and lowland areas.
Storms to subside come Sunday
The severe weather is expected to subside by early Sunday morning. Einar suggested that, if necessary, voting could be held on Sunday in affected areas.
He recalled that during parliamentary elections in 1979, two voting days were immediately planned due to weather conditions. “It went well,” Einar recalled.
“This is simply what we must deal with when it comes to winter elections,” Einar noted.
